ARRANGING A BAPTISM

Mission

To assist parents in having their children less than 7 years of age receive the Sacrament of Baptism.

Baptism begins a life long journey to know and love Jesus! As parents, you are the first and most important teachers of our Catholic faith. Your child’s faith will grow and mature as he/she sees your Catholic faith in your life. All of us at St. Bruno wish you well, and pray for God’s continued blessings on you and your family.

Registration

Parents begin by registering their child for the ceremony. Forms are available online for printing or pick up at the Parish Office. Please complete all formsprior to meeting with our Baptism Coordinator.

Meetings are in the Parish Center on Sundays between 12pm to 12:45pm(Not the 5th Sunday of a month and if noted otherwise on the Schedule). No appointment necessary.

You will also learn about the all-important classes for parents and godparents.

Baptism Preparation Classes

These meetings help you fully understand the ceremony for your child and especially your and the godparent’s role in your child’s faith journey.

They are in the Parish Center from 1:30pm to 3pm on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of a month (unless noted otherwise on Schedule).

If you are baptizing at another church and would like to attend Baptism Preparation Class here, please email your request to Selene Garcia at seleneg@ucla.edu and await confirmation of your class date. Each class is limited, so please let her know early.

Contact Information

CONFESSION

Saturday9:00am - 10:00am4:00pm - 5:00pm

Why do I have to confess to a priest?

Father Robert Barron is the founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries, the Rector of Mundelein Seminary, and the host of CATHOLICISM, a groundbreaking, award winning documentary about the Catholic Faith. He received a Master's Degree in Philosophy from the Catholic University of America (1982) and a doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Institut Catholique de Paris (1992).He has published numerous books, essays, and articles on theology and the spiritual life. He has also appeared on several media outlets including NBC, PBS, FOX News, CNN, and EWTN. His website, WordOnFire.org, has reached over 3.8 million people and his weekly YouTube videos have been viewed over nine million times. His pioneering work in evangelizing through the new media led Cardinal Francis George, Archbishop of Chicago, to describe him as “one of the Church's best messengers."

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EUCHARIST

Grades 1-8

For more information about First Holy Communion (FHC) preparation for children in grades 1 thru 8, please contact the Elementary and Junior High Coordinator at 562-947-5637.

High School

For more information about First Holy Communion (FHC) preparation for high school teenagers, please contact the Administrative Assistant for Youth & Family Ministry at 562-947-5637.

Adults

For more information about preparation for First Communion for adults (18+), please contact Deacon Gabe or Maria Saavedra with RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) at 562-947-5637 x122.

HOLY ORDERS

Office for VocationsArchdiocese of Los Angeles

Archdiocese of Los Angeles Priest Ordination - 2014

Follow Me: Journeys to Priesthood

Diaconate Formation

At a lower level of the hierarchy are deacons, upon whom hands are imposed "not unto the priesthood, but unto a ministry of service." For strengthened by sacramental grace, in communion with the bishop and his group of priests they serve in the diaconate of the liturgy, of the word, and of charity to the people of God. (Lumen Gentium, 29).

The permanent deacon brings a unique pastoral presence to the parish community. He is an ordained minister whose ministry is "service sacramentalized" through the proclamation of the Gospel, through his participation in liturgy, and through his dedication to ministries of charity and justice.

Click here to visit the Office of Diaconate Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Vocation Prayer

LORD, JESUS, we ask you to send more servants to your people. Choose from our parishes, from our homes, from our schools and colleges, an abundant harvest of apostles for your Kingdom: priests, deacons sisters, brothers, and lay ministers. We pray that those you call may never lose awareness of the dignity and need of their vocation.

O Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, through the Holy Spirit, inspire those the Master calls to answer with a joyful "yes" as you did at the Annunciation. Amen.

Answering God's Callwritten by Archbishop Jose H. Gomez

The following is adapted from an interview that Archbishop Gomez gave recently to the magazine, The Franciscan Way. How would you describe the state of vocations today?

There has been a crisis for some time now in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. Now, however, that’s true not just of the priesthood and consecrated life, but also of vocations to the married life. People used to get married when they were very young. Now it takes a long time for them to make a decision.

One of the reasons for all of these problems is the breakdown of the family. In the 1960s, the family entered a very challenging situation with divorce rates going up, more mobility, and less stability. It used to be that everyone sat down around the table and ate lunch and dinner together. There were family gatherings every weekend. That’s no longer the case.

I think this plays into young people not really understanding vocations or being willing to commit to one. Again, because many never had a stable family life, it is more difficult for young people to make decisions to commit to something that will last forever. Every vocation is born at home. The family is a domestic church. It is important for us to understand the role of family.

A couple of weeks ago in Rome, I had the opportunity to meet the Holy Father. At one point during the meeting, one of the priests with me asked the Holy Father to bless a zucchetto. The priest said, “Holy Father, could you bless this because my mother asked me to ask you.” The Holy Father’s eyes brightened and he replied, “One of the most important things in the life of a priest is his mother.”

I think for any vocation to be embraced, you have to have a good family environment. Again, this is true of marriage, too. How you think about married life and family life is so strongly influenced by what you experienced growing up in your parents’ home.

Are there any other reasons behind this crisis?sThere is a lack of contact or relationship with consecrated people. A couple of generations ago, there were many priests and nuns that were visible to people. A vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life was an option most young Catholics at least thought about. We saw somebody living that vocation and could relate to it. Not anymore.

Along with that — and this is the most important thing — is the lack of depth in our understanding of the teachings of the Catholic Church and how to develop a spiritual life. In the old days, at Catholic schools, we had Mass and Holy Communion daily. We prayed the Rosary, and we were taught how to start a spiritual life. But, since the 1960s, we have little by little lost our sense of prayer. We don’t understand the importance of spending time with God, or how to pray and relate to God. We are more interested in material things or having fun, and sitting down to pray doesn’t seem like fun to a lot of people these days. It doesn’t seem as attractive.

Why is it important that we say “Yes” when we hear God calling us to a particular vocation?When we believe in God, we want to do God’s will. To listen to what God wants and answer him is essential for our own fulfillment. It is essential to our happiness on earth and in getting us to Heaven. The decision we make to answer God’s call, wherever that call may take us, will make all the difference in life.

What else can the family do to encourage vocations?Pray together. Go to Mass together. Just talk about the important things in life. When something bad happens, say a prayer. Make an effort to go to religious events at the parish or make a pilgrimage. Usually the children don’t want to do that, and the parents worry about forcing their children to go. But they should. In the long term, it is something they will never forget, and it will make a difference.

Finally, this whole idea of knowing who we are is fundamental. Parents need to talk to children about that in a deep way, helping their children understand they are not just a Lakers fans or some other superficial thing, but a child of God. The best way a young person can learn that is to talk about it with their parents and see that reflected in the life of their parents.

What can pastors do to help the young adults in their parish discern their vocation?The first thing pastors need to do is talk about vocations. They need to talk about it because people don’t know there is such a thing as a vocation, a particular call from God to the priesthood, consecrated life, or marriage. In the world, vocation is just a word. It doesn’t mean anything. We need to explain what it is.

The second thing the pastor must do is ask the young people what they think their vocation is. He must ask that question of every young person.

Just the fact of having the priest ask you what you are going to do with your life makes a difference. It gets you to start thinking about God’s will for your life and what Jesus is asking you to do. After that, it also helps for the priest to talk about the beauty of saying “Yes” to God and tell his own vocation story.

What else can be done to encourage a culture of vocations?Strong Catholic schools are very important. They provide not only academic and spiritual formation, but also human formation, helping young people understand who they are as human persons.

Catholic universities are also absolutely important in this. During the college years, you discover what is out there in the world. It’s when you have to make decisions about what really matters and how you will live your life. Before that, in high school, you have the shelter of your family and a small community helping you make those decisions. But when you go to college, everything is wide open.

So what young people receive in college is going to mark their lives. That’s why it’s so important for universities to teach men and women the truth about God and the truth about who they are. Once they know that, they can make the right decisions.

What helped you pursue your vocation to the priesthood?First, I went to Catholic schools, and they always asked the boys if we wanted to be priests. I also learned the basics of the Faith there and at home.

Then, my mother got sick with cancer. She was later cured, but while she was sick, I remember thinking that life is not easy. I also saw my father going to daily Mass at that time. That caught my attention and helped me see that faith is important. Later, a cousin who was a hero of mine was killed in a car accident. Those things helped me to think deeply about what I was going to do with my life.

Were you ever afraid to answer that call?Yes, of course. There is always fear, regardless of the vocation. But the fear will not go away until you make a decision.

MARRIAGE

Welcome & Congratulations

God bless you for choosing to celebrate your marriage in the Catholic Church. This choice is truly an expression of your faith in God and His Church.

For Christians, marriage is a Sacrament of God’s love reflected in the love of a man and a woman as husband and wife. The sacrament of marriage gives spouses the grace to love one another as Christ loves the church.

The grace of the sacrament thus perfects the human love of spouses, strengthens their indissoluble unity, and sanctifies them on the way to eternal life. (Catechism of the Catholic Church No. 1661)

The Christian home is the place where children receive the first proclamation of the faith. For this reason the family home is rightly called “the domestic church”; a community of grace and prayer, a school of human virtues and of Christian charity. (Catechism of the Catholic Church No. 1666).

Important Information

The ChurchPlease remember that the Church is always a place of prayer. Be aware of this as you enter the church and if necessary, remind others to be quiet and respectful. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in the church or in the parking lot under any circumstances.

Your First StepYour first step is to schedule a meeting with a priest or deacon by contacting the Parish Center at 562-947-5637. At this meeting the priest/deacon will explain the requirements for marriage in the Catholic Church, other important details, and your selection of a celebrant.

FinancesPlease remember that the Church is not a profit making organization, but Wedding fees apply. Please contact the Parish Center at 562-947-5637.

Wedding DateBefore a wedding date can be placed in the St. Bruno Church official calendar, the $100 non-refundable deposit must be paid. This deposit is included in the wedding fee amount as previously discussed .Documents for MarriageThe required documents for the prospective bride and groom are:Baptismal CertificateContact the church of your baptism and request an official copy of your baptismal certificate. A photo copy of the original will not be acceptable.First Communion and Confirmation CertificateContact the church of your First Communion and Confirmation and request acopy of your certificates; photo copies are acceptable.Engagement Encounter Course CertificateProof of your completion of the course is required. Schedules of courses may be found at www.ceeofla.orgSworn TestimonySworn statements from TWOwitnesses for the bride and TWO for the groom, preferably parents, will be required. The proper Forms and details will be provided by the priest/deaconassisting you.Marriage LicenseA civil marriage license is required. The license is purchased at the Registrar Recorder’s Office,12400 Imperial Hwy., Norwalk, CA 90650;phone number 562-462-2137. Make sure that you bring the original license, the duplicate copy and the pre-addressed envelope to the Parish Centertwo weeks prior to the celebration of the marriage.

Engaged Encounter/Pre-Marriage PreparationEngaged Encounter weekend or an approved equivalent is requiredfor all couples getting married in the Catholic Church. Visitwww.ceeofla.orgor call 888-267-3660 for information about enrolling in your course.

Contact Information

For more information, please contact the Parish Center at least 6 months before your intended marriage date at 562-947-5637.

Marriage and Relationships

Father Robert Barron is the founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries, the Rector of Mundelein Seminary, and the host of CATHOLICISM, a groundbreaking, award winning documentary about the Catholic Faith. He received a Master's Degree in Philosophy from the Catholic University of America (1982) and a doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Institut Catholique de Paris (1992).

He has published numerous books, essays, and articles on theology and the spiritual life. He has also appeared on several media outlets including NBC, PBS, FOX News, CNN, and EWTN. His website, WordOnFire.org, has reached over 3.8 million people and his weekly YouTube videos have been viewed over nine million times. His pioneering work in evangelizing through the new media led Cardinal Francis George, Archbishop of Chicago, to describe him as “one of the Church's best messengers."

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ANOINTING OF THE SICK

Contact Information

If you or a loved one is in need of Anointing of the Sick, please contact the Parish Center at 562-947-5637.

Anointing of the SickWho is it for?

Anointing of the SickA Deeper Look

The anointing of the sick is administered to bring spiritual and even physical strength during an illness, especially near the time of death. It is most likely one of the last sacraments one will receive. A sacrament is an outward sign established by Jesus Christ to confer inward grace. In more basic terms, it is a rite that is performed to convey God’s grace to the recipient, through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Sacrament’s InstitutionLike all the sacraments, holy anointing was instituted by Jesus Christ during his earthly ministry. The Catechism explains, "This sacred anointing of the sick was instituted by Christ our Lord as a true and proper sacrament of the New Testament. It is alluded to indeed by Mark, but is recommended to the faithful and promulgated by James the apostle and brother of the Lord" (CCC 1511; Mark 6:13; Jas. 5:14-15). The anointing of the sick conveys several graces and imparts gifts of strengthening in the Holy Spirit against anxiety, discouragement, and temptation, and conveys peace and fortitude (CCC 1520). These graces flow from the atoning death of Jesus Christ, for "this was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, ‘He took our infirmities and bore our diseases’" (Matt. 8:17). Mark refers to the sacrament when he recounts how Jesus sent out the twelve disciples to preach, and "they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them" (Mark 6:13). In his epistle, James says, "Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven" (Jas. 5:14–15). The early Church Fathers recognized this sacrament’s role in the life of the Church. Around A.D. 250, Origen wrote that the penitent Christian "does not shrink from declaring his sin to a priest of the Lord and from seeking medicine . . . [of] which the apostle James says: ‘If then there is anyone sick, let him call the presbyters of the Church, and let them impose hands upon him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him’" (Homilies on Leviticus 2:4). In the year 350, Bishop Serapion wrote, "We beseech you, Savior of all men, you that have all virtue and power, Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and we pray that you send down from heaven the healing power of the only-begotten [Son] upon this oil, so that for those who are anointed . . . it may be effected for the casting out of every disease and every bodily infirmity . . . for good grace and remission of sins . . . " (The Sacramentary of Serapion 29:1). The Sacrament’s Effects"The special grace of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick has as its effects: the uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ, for his own good and that of the whole Church; the strengthening, peace, and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age; the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of penance; the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of his soul; the preparation for passing over to eternal life" (CCC 1532). Does a person have to be dying to receive this sacrament? No. The Catechism says, "The anointing of the sick is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence, as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived" (CCC 1514). Does God Always Heal?Today some Christians go to extremes in their expectation of divine healing. On one hand, some say that if a Christian is not healed of all his diseases, this reflects his lack of faith. Others claim that divine healings were only for the apostolic age, when all diseases were healed instantly and automatically. Both extremes are wrong. God does not always heal the physical infirmities that afflict us. Paul preached to the Galatians while he was afflicted by a "bodily ailment" (Gal. 4:13– 14). He also mentions that he had to leave his companion Trophimus in the town of Miletus because he was too sick to travel (2 Tim. 4:20). In his first letter to Timothy, Paul urges his young protégé to "no longer drink only water, but to use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments" (1 Tim. 5:23). The last passage is especially informative. Not only does it reveal that illnesses were not always healed in the apostolic age, but it also shows an apostle’s practical advice to a fellow Christian on how to deal with an illness. Notice that Paul does not tell Timothy to pray harder and have more faith that God will heal him from his stomach ailment. Rather, he tells him how to manage the illness through medicinal means. Some argue that healings were always instantaneous and were only for those living during the apostolic age, but that afterward the gift of healing disappeared. The problem with that theory is that the Bible tells us otherwise. For example, when Jesus healed the blind man at Bethsaida, he laid his hands upon him twice before the man was fully healed (Mark 8:22–26). Finally, we have a standing command of the New Testament in James 5:14–15, cited earlier. This command is never revoked anywhere in the Bible, and there are no statements anywhere that God will cease to heal. Thus the command is in effect to this very day. Of course, our healing, like all things, is subject to God’s will. As James pointed out just a chapter earlier, "You do not know about tomorrow. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and we shall do this or that’" (Jas. 4:14–15, emphasis added). We have a promise of healing, but not an unqualified one. It is conditional on the will of God. Why Doesn’t God Always Heal?If God can heal us, why doesn’t he? Why isn’t it always his will to do so? One answer to this question is found in the spiritual discipline and training that can result from facing illness and adversity. Scripture asks, "Have you forgotten the exhortation which addresses you as sons?—‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by him. For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives’ [Prov. 3:11–12]. It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? "If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers to discipline us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time at their pleasure, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant; later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it" (Heb. 12:5–11). The Value of SufferingSometimes God allows us to undergo sickness as a form of discipline and training in righteousness. God often permits these trials for our sanctification, as Paul himself learned when he prayed that God would remove from him an angel of Satan who was afflicting him: "And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger [Greek: angelos] of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Cor. 12:7–9). Even though we must face a certain amount of suffering and affliction in this life, we know God’s grace is sufficient to sustain us. All of God’s graces, including physical health, are bestowed to lead to the salvation of our souls. The Catholic Church teaches that the sacrament brings "the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of his soul" (CCC 1532). God also uses our suffering to help others. If Paul had not become ill while on his first missionary journey and been forced to stop traveling, he would not have preached to the Galatians, for he tells them, "You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first" (Gal. 4:13). If he had not preached to the Galatians, he would not have later written them the epistle that appears in our New Testament. God used Paul’s illness to bring salvation to the Galatians and to bring us a work of Scripture, through which we are still receiving benefits from God. This is just one example of how God used suffering to bring about good. Therefore, if we suffer, we should look upon it as an opportunity for good, such as by offering up our sufferings for our own sanctification and for our departed brothers and sisters in Christ. This applies also to the physical suffering of death, which will come for each of us one day. The Bible reminds us, "As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more" (Ps. 103:15–16). The "Last Rites"Though the psalmist teaches us to ponder our mortality, he immediately comforts us by saying, "But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments" (Ps. 103:17–18). In his steadfast love for us, the Lord gives us the sacraments involved in the last rites to comfort us in our final days and prepare us for the journey ahead. "These include penance (or confession), confirmation (when lacking), anointing of the sick . . . and Viaticum (which is meant to be the last reception of Communion for the journey from this life to eternity). . . . "The present ritual orders these sacraments in two ways. The ‘continuous rites of penance and anointing’ include: Introductory Rites, Liturgy of Penance, Liturgy of Confirmation, Liturgy of Anointing, Liturgy of Viaticum, and Concluding Rites. The ‘rite for emergencies’ includes the sacrament of penance, Apostolic Pardon, Lord’s Prayer, Communion as Viaticum, prayer before anointing, anointing, concluding prayer, blessing, sign of peace" (Fr. Peter Stravinskas, Catholic Encyclopedia, 572). The most important part of the last rites is the reception of the Lord in one’s final Communion, also called "Viaticum" (Latin = that which you take on the road, i.e., provisions for a journey) This special Communion prepares us to travel with the Lord on the final part of our journey. The comfort of Viaticum has been valued by Christians since the beginning of Church history. The first ecumenical council, held at Nicaea in 325, decreed: "Concerning the departing, the ancient canonical law is still to be maintained, to wit, that, if any man be at the point of death, he must not be deprived of the last and most indispensable Viaticum" (canon 13). Having repented of our sins and received reconciliation, we travel with the Lord Jesus out of this earthly life and to eternal happiness with him in heaven. From the earliest times, the sacrament of the anointing of the sick was cherished among Christians, not only in immediate danger of death, but even at the beginning sign of danger from illness or old age. A sermon of Caesar of Arles (ca. A.D. 470-542) contains the following: "As often as some infirmity overtakes a man, let him who is ill receive the body and blood of Christ; let him humbly and in faith ask the presbyters for blessed oil, to anoint his body, so that what was written may be fulfilled in him: ‘Is anyone among you sick? Let him bring in the presbyters, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he be in sins, they will be forgiven him. . . . See to it, brethren, that whoever is ill hasten to the church, both that he may receive health of body and will merit to obtain the forgiveness of his sins" (Sermons 13[325]:3). John Chrysostom"The priests of Judaism had power to cleanse the body from leprosy—or rather, not to cleanse it at all, but to declare a person as having been cleansed. . . . Our priests have received the power not of treating with the leprosy of the body, but with spiritual uncleanness; not of declaring cleansed, but of actually cleansing. . . . Priests accomplish this not only by teaching and admonishing, but also by the help of prayer. Not only at the time of our regeneration [in baptism], but even afterward, they have the authority to forgive sins: ‘Is there anyone among you sick? Let him call in the priests of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man, and the Lord shall raise him up, and if he has committed sins, he shall be forgiven’" (On the Priesthood 3:6:190ff [A.D. 387]).

This excerpt is available on www.catholic.com. Thank you to Catholic Answers for this in-depth look into Anointing of the Sick.

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